Ham Radio Frequency Chart Australia

[Channing Rupnick]

Theradio frequency spectrum is a section of the electromagnetic spectrum. The latter categorises the entire range of electromagnetic radiation waves. The higher end is where long and innocuous radio waves sit, whereas the other extreme includes the ultra-short and harmful gamma rays.

Radio frequency bands, which is a term usually used to describe the radio frequency spectrum for telecommunications purposes, describe a specific range between two levels of frequency. For example, FM radio frequencies have different wavelengths than AM radio.

The most recent Australian Radiofrequency Spectrum Plan was created by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in 2021. The purpose of this document is to be a federally-recognised allocation of all the frequency bands that make up the radio spectrum. You can read the plan here.

The chart is divided into radio frequency bands, from very low frequency (VLF) to extremely high frequency (EHF). VLF is 3-30 kHz, or kilohertz. EHF goes up to 30-300 GHz. This is measured in gigahertz.

Specifications can be changed to meet country specific requirements and those of local radio communications authorities. As such the specifications shown here may not reflect those of products distributed in some countries.

Selected map: Ionospheric MapThe plot above shows a near real-time critical ionospheric frequency (foF2) map produced using automatically scaled ionogram profiles from the Australian region and around the world. The last 7 days of maps can be viewed using the control buttons underneath the above image.

How to use this tool

Choose the type of map using the drop-down list located above the graph.To animate, first select the display duration using drop-down list located below the graph and then press "Load Animation" button. The user can also choose different speeds of animations.To view still images during a playing, press "Pause" button and then use the navigation buttons located below the graph to switch between images.

The data presented in this page are derived from the automated interpretation of ionograms from around the world. Regional data are obtained from the Space Weather Network (SWN), formely known as IPSNET, (Australia Pacific Region). Global data are obtained from the NICT Space Weather Information Centre of Japan (Japanese region), the Space Physics Group at Rhodes University's Hermanus Magnetic Observatory (South African region), the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanolgia, Rome, Italy (Italian Region), the Facultad Regional Tucumn, Universidad Tecnolgica Nacional, Argentina, (South American Region), the Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory (GIRO), and the United States of America Space Weather Prediction Centre (SWPC). The ionospheric data available from the SWPC and GIRO are contributed by the International Space Environment Service's (ISES) Regional Warning Centres (RWCs) located around the globe, the United States Air Force (USAF) and several research institutes.

Most of the station foF2 data used to create the above map are obtained from the sites listed below. If you wish, you can compare the map contour values at station locations with these station data files and ionograms.

The most widely used instrument for ionospheric measurement is the ionosonde. The ionosonde is essentially a high frequency radar which sends short pulses of radio energy into the ionosphere. If the radio frequency is not too high, the pulses are reflected back to earth.

The ionosonde records the time delay between transmission and reception of the pulses. By varying the frequency of the pulses (typically 1-22MHz), a record is obtained of the time delay at different frequencies. This record is referred to as an ionogram.

Note: The geomagnetic field splits a radio wave in the ionosphere into two separate components, termed the ordinary (o) and extraordinary (x) waves. It is the o-wave which is routinely scaled from ionograms.

Radio Frequencies (Talk Channels) for Two Way Radio are allocated by the ACMA (Australian Communications Media Authority) which is the Federal Governing body in charge of Licencing of Two Way Radio Frequencies.

There are 80 Channels of free UHF CB Two Way Radio Channels that have been set aside for the general public to use. These frequencies are in the UHF Band between 476.4250 and 477.4125 MHz. Any frequencies outside of this band are for COMMERCIAL USE ONLY and all need to be licenced.

It is highly illegal to use any COMMERCIAL frequency outside of the CB Channels without a Licence on any Two Way Radio. Very heavy fines are levied and confiscation of equipment may take place should anyone be caught using Two Way Radio equipment on commercial channels without a license. This is like driving a car without a drivers license, the normal person would not consider doing this and you should not operate on commercial talk channels without a radio frequency license either.

LoRa is just a modulation method, much like your classic FM or AM radio, though invented in the last couple of years. The main outcome of LoRa modulation is long range radio communication that uses very little energy (1-3KMs in urban is normal, 10-20KMs line of sight)

LoRaWAN is basically a collection of notes by smarter-than-average people that were compiled into a standard, which allowed tens of thousands of LoRa-compatible devices to operate in a Wide Area Network (WAN), without any issues. Hence the name, LoRaWAN.

LoRaWAN in Australia operates between 915-930Mhz, and the region codes (used for software setup) are either AU915 or AS923. Region code setup is often just a line of code, from that point forward the way LoRaWAN is used is common for all devices. Lots of intel out there, hopefully, this helps bridge some gaps.

With respect to 433MHz. According to what I have found; transmission is permitted for low power short duration. Like a garage door opener. (wading through the ACMA regulations can be quite tedious) Another says it is used by walkie talkies sold in many stores. One chart says military another says Radiolocation. The spec lists 20dBm which is 100mWatts. Low but a reasonable amount of power.

The device listed by Core Electronics is also sold by other Australian stores, if it was illegal it would be withdrawn from sale. (one hopes)

But always wise to do your research before transmitting, as stiff penalties exist for misuse of the spectrum.

We support startups and individuals building products for a global market, there are safe ways to go about the use of components, modules and electronics like this, just as other aspects of hardware such as voltage, current and EMC which are more easily understood (though can get complicated quickly depending on your experience).

Hi Grald

Probably only the use of upper case (MHZ) and lower case (mhz). I think it should be a mixture ie; MHz. In my humble opinion I think 915MHz would be 915MHz wherever in the world you are.

Cheers Bob

The Things Network uses different frequencies for their channels but unfortunately, both are referred to as AU 915 and US 915 despite being different.

There is a listing here that includes the specs of each channel within the bands.

4.1 Uncertainty about potential of low intensity,long-term exposure to RF from telecommunications technology was found by theCommittee to be the basis of the continuing argument for a sensibleprecautionary approach (principle). With the inadequate research datacurrently available, it has not been possible to estimate or quantify with anydegree of accuracy the extent of a safety margin that needs to be prescribed instandards to be properly protective of the risk to the public.

4.2 Central to the question of the adequacy of ourstandards was whether or not they dealt with non-thermal emissions which havebeen shown by a growing body of research to show biological effects. Dr Michael Repacholi of theWorld Health Organization explained that the scientific studies on which ourstandards are set were observations of behavioural change in primates exposedto heat emitting devices. The Committee Chair found the progress of standard developmentto have been somewhat arbitrary and inadequate in dealing with non-thermaleffects.

4.3 The Committee stresses in Chapters 3 and 4, thenecessity for research to be carried out into the mechanisms of interaction oftelecommunications frequency microwaves with biological tissue. This researchmust operate independently of influence by industry, government or regulatorybodies. Without basic science data the Committee found that it is not possiblefor anyone to predict what adverse health outcomes might occur.

4.4 The Australian Standard, first published in1985, deals with human exposure to radiofrequency fields. It was developed andsubsequently revised by a technical committee of Standards Australia. Thetechnical committee did not reach agreement on the last revision of theStandard in 1999, which sought to introduce the more lenient ICNIRP Guidelines,and the responsibility for setting a new standard was transferred by theGovernment to the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency(ARPANSA) which will formally adopt the Standard as an ARPANSA standard andincorporate it into its regulations once it is accepted by the ARPANSARadiation Health Committee.

4.6 Radiofrequency signals were first used in 1895and by the early 1920s broadcasting was becoming commonplace. At this time,research was beginning to probe the potential for biological effects of radiowaves, effects on the nervous system, and other observations of harm such aslocalised burns and electric shocks caused by direct contact with a conductor.

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